Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-01-28
A BROKEN HEART.

beautiful of English cOuntieS-StandS the
grand old Norman castle of Ayonlelgh.
BuiItu gentle elevation, it commands
n splendid view of the richest scenery.
Broad stretches of forest whose giant
trees dwindle into mere atoms in the dis
lance Gently undulating hills, merging
into the bluest skies in the dim distance,
with here and there a tiny glimpse OF sill
yer sea.
1t was the eve of that most disastrous
internal struggle, 1.-The War OF the
Roses when the fair flag of England
was stained with the blood Of her noblest
sons Lord John de Gray, the master Of
Avonleigh, had already declared himself
warm adherent of the house Of York,
and when the tide of war mingled It's
turbulent stream with the pure and
peaceful waters of domestic life the gray
haired earl was found fighting bravely
beside his only son.
a mellow day in autumn is drawing to
close, the soft light of a harvest moon
is contending for supremacy with the
shadows of the sinking sun. In little
while the castle is bathed in the tender
moonlight the clinging ivy leaves giisten
like silver and tremble from the faintest
perfumed breeze.
The earls only daughter, Lady Miriam,
fair haired maiden with a wCndrously
beautiful face, is down in the quaint Old
garden, drawn thithcr by the singular
beauty of the night; and, verify, moon
never shOne upon fGircr form than hers,
and the flowers sent forth their sleeping
incense to greet this living Rose Oh
Avonleigh."
AS she stopped to pluck white rose
from its thOrny stem the delicate finger
was pierced and crimson drop stained
the roses purity, but 10 murmur escaped
her, and gathering Up the folds OF her
white robe she walked slowly back to the
castle.
Young and beautiful, surrounded with
wealth and pleasures, this young girl
knew not what unhappineSs meant; like
a bird whose gilGed cage protects and
shelters her, life indeed was all sunshine
without shadow.
Though rumors of war were III the air
and men spoke in serious tones Of the
strife which seemed inevitable, no
thought Of danger rlarred the calm happi
ness of her existence.
Already she had given her heart to
young Wilfred Aylmer, as brave and
handsome youth as the sun ever shOne
upon, and whose strong, young arm shall
also ne welded in the cause Of The noble
house Of York.
Through the wide, dimly lighted hall
way Lady Miriam walked slowly and al
most unconsciously, clasping the now half
crimsoned rose 10 her bosom, until she
reached her fathers study.
l'he old earl sat III profound thought
and did not heed the soft football until q
tender cheek was laid against his own.
What Il dark brown study Ely dear
father IS in" murmured the sweet voice.
The earl's face was scanned and shad-
owed with care as he lifted his head and
sudden paleness overspread his features
when he saw the white rose which she
laughingly held up to his gaze
Il was thinking of you, my pearl" he
replied drawing the fair head down TO
him and kissing the sweet, childish
mouth, but now that you are here" he
added, like a CLEAN of sunlight among
my shadows, l am 40 longer sad" But
seeing a shade of pain in her eyes lie
added hastily
Il was indeed thinking OF the time
when some one would rob me of the fair
est flower in my garden OF roses"
She chiGcd him lovingly for thinking
700 soon. and, with her accustomed prayer
and good night kiss, left him.
Up the wide staircase she goes, slowly
and thoughtfully, now through the great
picture gallery, where the old fashioned
but beautiful faces of other Lady Mirians
looked down upon her. Was it the weird
4. moonlight that made those dead faces
seem to bead from their stiff frames and
cause n CLEAN of sadness TO light up the
dead eyes that seemed to follow her as
she passed beneath them?
She reached her fovOrifn rnor,,
high i'll the west wing, a coy nook,
where sshe loved TO look upon the moon
light scene without and inhale the faint
fragrance of the garden beneath.
Lady Niriam's life had indeed been like
TO the unrutiied bosom of clear calm
lake. Her placid bosom had never been
disturbed by q sad thought. True, within
the past few months, her heart had awak-
cned, budGke, to the new and sweet
knowledge OF another love. That very
morning she had been plighted to Sir
Wilfred Aylmer, and their marriage
would be celebrated when the war cloud
had rolled past.
Long and sadly the earl unused that
night; his heart WAS full of foreboding of
coming sorrow. What if in this war
which every day seems more imminent he
should fall? What if this, his one eve
lamb, should be orphaned-desolate? He
tried TO drive away his gloomy imacin-
ings by recalling the sweet face of her
who had just left him with words of love
and hope, and prayed that this "bitter
chalice" might pass away"
But, alas! a month later saw the rival
parties engaged in determined and deadly
strife-saw also the white haired earl
and his son fighting side by side with
young Wilfred Aylmer.
Oh, selfish kings and avricioUs princes.
how little We reckon the cost Of your
crowns; how little We care. News trav-
eled slowly in those days, but medieval
maidens did not sigh and pine like us Of
modern times, but looked hopefully for
the triumphant return OF their victors,
their minds being nodded and tinted 70
their warlike surroundings. Battles
BODIED only an access of honor and glory.
Rumors at length reached Avonleigh
that great and decisive battle had been
fought, in which the house of York had
triumphed. Proportions on q magnif-
cent scale had commenced at the castle
for the return of the victors Joy bells
rang from every steeple and belfry in the
village. All We're jubilant in tho belief
that their noble lord was coming home
with honors All, but here was mes
senger at last riding III hot haste He
looked neither to the right nor the left as
Eo rode past the gay banners and resound
ing cheers of the happy villagers. Both
horse and man were sore, jaded and COW
cred with foam from long and continued
riding but be never drew rein until he
reached the castle, whose gates were
thrown wide open bar and bolt giving